Suffering any kind of injury as a result of someone else’s negligence is difficult, but if the injury you incur is catastrophic, your life is likely to be permanently altered, which makes the path forward that much more challenging.
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury because of another person or entity’s negligence, you need an experienced Georgia catastrophic injury lawyer in your corner. Contact Brady M. Larrison of The Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys to discuss your case. Use our online form or call 770-626-7895 to get started today.
Defining a Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic injuries are defined as severe injuries that involve any of the following:
- The brain or skull, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- The spine or spinal cord, including paralysis
- Burns
- Injuries that lead to blindness
- Injuries that lead to limb loss or require amputation
Catastrophic injuries, by their very nature, require more extensive overall care, and this requirement tends to be permanent, which means that you will be looking at far more substantial legal damages or losses.
Common Accidents Resulting in Catastrophic Injury
While there is no real limit to the kinds of accidents that can cause catastrophic injuries, some categories that are most closely associated with these devastating injuries include:
- Traffic accidents of all kinds, such as car, semi-truck, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents
- Dog bites
- Falls from height
If someone else’s negligence causes you to suffer a catastrophic injury, you shouldn’t put off consulting with a dedicated catastrophic injury lawyer.
Losses From Catastrophic Injuries
If your injuries are catastrophic, you can expect your associated losses to be extensive.
Medical costs
With a catastrophic injury, your medical expenses are likely to start out high and may never abate. Injuries of this magnitude are often ongoing and are far more likely to affect complications or secondary health concerns.
Consider some of the most common associated medical expenses:
- Emergency care at the scene of the accident and emergency transportation away from the scene
- Surgical and post-op care
- Hospital stays, treatments, and care from medical professionals and staff
- Appointments with doctors, specialists, and therapists
- Treatment plans, including tests and procedures
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Home health care
- Help with the activities of daily living
- Physical adaptations to home and vehicle
- Adaptive physical devices
It’s critical that you have a thorough understanding of the healthcare needs you’re likely going to require in the future before finalizing your catastrophic injury claim.
Lost income
A catastrophic injury may keep you off the job permanently, which generally translates to immense financial losses that include lost earning potential over the course of your career. A loss that is this significant can also lead to emotional consequences.
Pain and suffering
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury, it is likely to mean that your life has been permanently altered, and it can take an emotional toll. Examples of how pain and suffering can manifest in victims of catastrophic injuries include:
- Increased anxiety that can include anxiety attacks
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia
- Disturbing accident flashbacks
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Losses in terms of personal relationships, which can include pronounced self-isolation
- Severe mood swings
The grief you experience can wreak havoc on your overall well-being, which makes it critical that this category of loss be well-represented along with the others.
Negotiating Catastrophic Injury Compensation From the Insurance Company
The compensation you’re entitled to – and that you’ll need to achieve your fullest recovery – after suffering a catastrophic injury can be extremely high, and as a result, the insurance company may engage in practices that are intended to keep your settlement as low as possible.
Common tactics include:
- Denying claims outright
- Offering early lowball settlements that ultimately leave claimants in the lurch
- Attempting to place blame on claimants – as opposed to on policyholders
- Stalling the claims process
- Artificially complicating the claims process
- Diminishing claims by twisting the meaning of statements made by claimants
There are laws in place that require insurance companies to handle personal injury claims like these in good faith, and your catastrophic injury lawyer will hold the insurance company that is handling your claim to task.
How a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Can Help
Having professional legal guidance in your corner is critical. Your catastrophic injury lawyer will:
- Precisely outline every category of loss you experience to help ensure that your ongoing needs are met.
- Skillfully advocate for your legal rights and rightful compensation throughout the claims process.
- Gather and compile all the available evidence – building your strongest claim in the process.
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, helping to ensure that you are not coached into saying something that goes on to harm your claim.
- Wisely negotiate for a fair settlement that allows you to focus on your ongoing recovery.
Consult With an Experienced Georgia Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered a life-changing catastrophic injury as a result of someone else’s wrongdoing, obtaining the fair compensation to which you are entitled is paramount to your ability to continue living your life to the fullest.
Brady M. Larrison is a formidable Georgia catastrophic injury lawyer who understands the gravity of your situation. The Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys has the compassion, keen legal insight, and considerable experience to back you up. Our legal team takes great pride in its proven commitment to our clients, and we’re here for you too.
For more information about how we can help, please don’t hesitate to reach out online or contact us by phone at 770-626-7895 today.